Hand Hygeine: Leave the bacteria out!!

Hello..

Whether you're a health care professional, or a garbage collector,washing your hands is one of the best ways to prevent spread of germs. It is a simple habit that keeps you healthy! Surprisingly/not so surprisingly, many people don't practice this habit as often as they should — even after using the toilet. Throughout the day, you come into contact with several nasty li'l buggers, via food, people and animals. Not only are you infecting your eyes, nose and mouth (sensitive) with the bacterial gunk, you're spreading your nastiness to other people, people who do take care of themselves! Here are just a few nightmares associated without the practice. Infectious diseases are cmmonly spread through hand-to-hand contact. Sniffles, coughing and a common cold are wimps compared to big brother Flu, who is stronger and more resistant to antibiotics :)
In older, more immunocompromised people, it can prove lethal! Gastrointestinal disorders, such as infectious diarrhea are other consequences. Diarrhea can result from food-related illnesses, such as salmonella and E. coli infection. Get this, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), .."many as 76 million Americans get a food-borne illness each year. "

To prevent any such mishaps (nobody wants to get sick, unless it is to skip school..haha) here are a few helpful tips to wash your hands properly. The way I see it, there's two ways to go on this. You can either be traditional and rinse with soap and water, or you can be modern and cool by using an alcohol sanitizer! Trust me, these things are not expensive and you'll thank your parents for this bundle of joy..lol..It is much more effective in disinfecting the bacteria from your skin surfaces, as well, your hands wont be as pink as raisins..Those who love soap and cannot do without it, must run your hands through warm water and lather up with soap..here comes the fun part, making bubbles!!! rub vigrously at least for 20 seconds, one hand over the other, go
for another round of cleaning if you please, scrub all surfaces including the hard to get spots: in between your fingers and fingernails..then use a towel to dry your hands. Use a fresh paper towel to turn the faucet off! How simple was that?? how long does that take?? less than a minute! Who's gonna thank you?? You are!! As my fitness instructor says, "you gave yourself the gift of health and life today!" The following are the circumstances in which you absolutely
MUST wash your hands..

Always wash your hands:

After using the toilet
After changing a diaper — wash the diaper-wearer's hands, too
After touching animals or animal waste
Before and after preparing food, especially before and immediately after handling raw meat, poultry or fish
Before eating
After blowing your nose
After coughing or sneezing into your hands
Before and after treating wounds or cuts
Before and after touching a sick or injured person
After handling garbage
Before inserting or removing contact lenses
When using public restrooms, such as those in airports, train stations, bus stations and restaurants ( According to the Mayo Clinic website: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hand-washing/HQ00407/NSECTIONGROUP=2)

There you go! Oh before I forget, those who prefer alcohol sanitizers, please make sure to stay away from flammable items, for at least 30 seconds, as you can light yourself on fire! That's all for now..the next time you wash your hands, show the little suckers, who the boss is!

Soujanya :)

Introduction

Hello everybody..

I took a little break from blogging due to some issues. I am gonna make this my online diary and keep updating it. There are so many things going on right now..First of all, for those who don't know, I am pursuing medicine in West Indies (aka the Carribean)..I am currently in my 3rd semester. Its been going well and I can't complain..I just love learning about the human body (no, i am not kidding!) Its fascinating just to look at one's problems and diagnose them with the knowledge that you have. Though I miss being home with my family, overcoming this challenge will provide us all great happiness..I will try to bring my medical knowledge onto the blog. I hope that you guys can contribute what you know about certain diseases, so as to keep the blog interactive.

Thanks!